柑橘精油及壳聚糖复合处理对橄榄果实采后生理和耐贮性的影响

为探究柑橘精油(0.25%、0.75%、1.5%)和壳聚糖(0.25%、0.75%、1.5%)复合处理对橄榄(Canarium album)果实采后生理和耐贮性的影响，以鲜食橄榄品种(系)‘檀香’、‘梅埔2号’为材料，对采后贮藏期间的腐烂率、褐变指数、相对电导率、呼吸强度、丙二醛含量、内源抗氧化物质谷胱甘肽含量、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性进行测定，筛选橄榄果实复合保鲜剂的最佳浓度组合。结果表明，与对照相比，所有柑橘精油和壳聚糖复合处理均可有效降低橄榄果实在贮藏期间腐烂率、褐变指数和丙二醛的积累，抑制呼吸作用，保持较高的内源抗氧化物质谷胱甘肽含量和POD、APX活性。因此柑橘精油及壳聚糖处理能够有效延长橄榄果实的保鲜时间，提高耐贮性，其中以1.5%柑橘精油和1.5%壳聚糖组合的保鲜效果最佳。     

天然仓贮抗霉剂的初步研究

本文报道从山苍籽等中提取的芳香油经组合后的复合芳香油对仓贮霉菌颇具抑菌效果;并随单位体积用量的增加,抑菌效果渐趋明显,对作用物寿命无明显影响。动物毒性试验表明,当超过常用量10倍以上时,除微核试验呈弱阳性外,其余均呈阴性。展现了复合芳香油作为仓贮防霉剂良好的开发前景。     

基于不同提取方法的汉麻茎叶精油全组分鉴定及比较研究

以汉麻茎叶为原料,分别采用水蒸馏提取法、亚临界萃取法以及超临界萃取法来获得汉麻精油,比较不同提取方法下获得的精油全组分的差异性、特征性。采用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)对精油全组分进行鉴定分析,并通过NIST质谱库和人工解析对所提取成分进行鉴别分析和相似度的检索,最后根据峰面积归一化法得出这三种提取方式下汉麻精油各组分的相对含量。三种提取方法下所得精油组分差异性明显,共计鉴定出154个成分,且含有13个共有成分,相似度均在80%以上。其中水蒸馏提取法共鉴定出89种,含量最高组分是大麻二酚(19.69%);亚临界萃取法鉴定出62种,含量最高组分是邻苯二甲酸二正辛酯(17.56%);超临界萃取法鉴定出59种,含量最高组分是油酸(22.50%)。三种方法所得精油组分种类和含量均有不同程度的差异：水蒸馏法获得的精油组分种类最多,多为烷烃、烯烃、醇类、醛类、倍半萜类等小分子化合物,而亚临界法和超临界法在一定程度上具有相似性,二者共有40个共有成分,多为酸类,醇类,酯类,酚类等高沸点化合物或大分子化合物,但含量差异明显。     

玫瑰精油的提取和理化性质分析

采用水蒸汽蒸馏法从江西首次引种的大马士革玫瑰(Rose damascene Miller)花中提取获得精油,得率为0.023％.按照ISO 9842:2003玫瑰精油标准方法测定精油的物理指标和主要组分,结果表明:该精油为黄色液体,具有天然的玫瑰花香,其物理指标和特征组分的百分含量符合标准要求,且主要组分构成与标准中保加利亚玫瑰精油相似.气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)结合直观推导式演进特征投影法(HELP)分析江西大马士革玫瑰精油,共鉴定出73个组分,其中香质组分较为完整,高品质玫瑰精油的标识成分β-突厥烯酮也被检出.     

麻欠产地对精油化学成分及抗炎效果的影响

为了进一步探究麻欠的产地对精油成分和抗炎效果的影响,本研究针对从西双版纳州的勐仑、勐旺、勐醒三个地点采集的麻欠果实,以水蒸馏法提取精油,用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用技术分析化学成分并用RAW 264.7细胞研究抗炎效果。精油共鉴定出21种化合物,以烯、醇类物质组成为主。其中勐仑与勐醒所产精油成分含量相似,与勐旺所产精油差异较大。溶剂对照、地塞米松或麻欠精油预处理RAW264.7细胞后,LPS处理培养24 h后,测定NO、TNF-α的含量。三地精油对LPS刺激产生的NO和TNF-α均有显著抑制作用。结果表明,虽然三个地点的麻欠精油成分有差异,但是抗炎效果相当。     

草果精油提取工艺优化与成分分析CSCD

为探究水蒸气蒸馏法和超声有机溶剂法提取草果精油的最佳提取工艺,本文在单因素试验的基础上,通过响应面法(response surface methodology, RSM)与反向传播人工神经网络法(back-propagation artificial neural network, BP-ANN)优化了水蒸气蒸馏法与超声有机溶剂法提取草果(Amomum tsao-ko)中精油类成分的工艺,并利用气相色谱-质谱联用(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, GC-MS)分析两种提取法获得的精油成分,并进行模型对比。结果表明,水蒸气蒸馏法的最佳工艺参数为浸泡时间53.00 min、蒸馏时间72.00 min、液固比11.00 mL/g,在此条件下草果精油的提取率为1.59%,共鉴定出34种成分;超声有机溶剂法的最佳工艺条件为超声功率150.00 W、超声时间27.00 min、液固比6.30 mL/g,在此条件下草果精油的提取率为3.70%,共鉴定出43种成分。尽管使用超声有机溶剂法获得草果精油的提取率高于水蒸气蒸馏法,但得到的精油品质差、颜色深、杂质多,不利于后续的应用。模型对比结果表明,BP-ANN模型比RSM模型在预测提取率方面误差指数更低,拟合度更高,具有更高的精度和预测优势。本研究将为草果精油的高效提取提供可靠的工艺参数,也进一步促进药食同源植物草果的开发利用。     

几种典型植物精油的化学成分与其抗菌活性

【目的】植物精油萃取自天然植物, 因具有抗菌活性, 近年来受到广泛关注。论文的目的是分析植物精油的化学成分, 测试其抗菌活性, 并研究其化学成分与抗菌活性之间的联系。【方法】实验选取了肉桂、山苍子、丁香、香茅、迷迭香和大蒜精油等6种典型植物精油, 通过气质联用分析方法研究了其化学组分, 并通过污染食物技术研究了其对黑曲霉和绳状青霉的抗真菌活性, 以及对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抗细菌活性。【结果】气质联用分析结果表明, 肉桂、山苍子、香茅和迷迭香等4种植物精油的化学成分主要是醛类和醇类, 丁香精油的主要化学成分是丁香油酚, 大蒜精油化学成分基本上都是含硫的醚类, 其中二烯丙基三硫醚(大蒜素)含量最高。抗菌活性结果显示, 不同植物精油的抗菌活性不同, 6种植物精油的抗真菌活性由强到弱依次为: 肉桂>大蒜>丁香>山苍子=香茅>迷迭香, 抗细菌活性由强到弱依次为: 肉桂>山苍子>丁香>香茅=迷迭香>大蒜。【结论】植物精油的抗真菌、细菌活性与其化学组分密切相关, 肉桂、山苍子、香茅和迷迭香等4种精油的抗菌活性可能主要与其化学成分中的醛类和醇类有关, 丁香精油较高的抗菌活性可能主要源于丁香油酚; 大蒜精油具有高效的抗真菌活性主要源于其化学成分中的含硫醚。不同植物精油化学成分不同, 抗真菌、细菌活性也不同, 表明其可能有不同的抗真菌与抗细菌机制。     

植物精油对金针菇保鲜效果的研究

为开发天然绿色的食用菌专用型保鲜剂,对4种植物精油抑制黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)、产黄青霉(Penicillium chrysogenum)、绿色木霉(Trichoderma viride)和木霉(Trichoderma sp.)等病原真菌的效果进行分析,并以金针菇为材料进行初步保鲜效果评价。研究结果显示,薰衣草精油对黑曲霉的抑制率最高,为17.86%,柠檬醛对产黄青霉及木霉的抑制率最高,分别为16.69%和34.41%,而茴香油则对绿色木霉的抑制率最高,达17.39%。经柠檬醛处理的金针菇在保鲜过程中,失重率、褐变度被显著抑制,还原糖含量增加,CAT活性降低的趋势被减缓。这些指标均显示柠檬醛具有较好的保鲜效果,是开发天然绿色保鲜剂的良好材料。     

椪柑精油及其主要抑菌组分对菌核青霉的抑制作用

采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取椪柑(Citrus reticulate Blanco)果皮精油,并用GC-MS对其成分进行分析,共鉴定出46种成分,主要包括柠檬烯(57.67%)、β-芳樟醇(5.36%)、2-蒈烯(4.47%)、β-蒎稀(4.31%)、γ-松油烯(4.08%)、α-蒎烯(3.27%)、1,2-二异丙烯基环丁烷(2.87%)、β-月桂烯(2.77%)、α-侧柏烯(2.40%)、β-水芹烯(2.24%)、癸醛(1.80%)和香茅醇(1.49%)等。采用污染食物技术(poisoned food technique)和液体培养法(liquid culture)测定了不同浓度椪柑精油以及主要抑菌组分对菌核青霉的抑制作用。结果表明:不同浓度(0.5~20μl/ml)的椪柑精油对菌核青霉生长均有一定的抑制,且抑菌效果与浓度呈正相关。无论是采用污染食物技术还是液体培养法,20μl/ml椪柑精油均能完全抑制菌核青霉生长;随着培养 时间延长到7d, 20μl/ml椪柑精油抑菌效果有所下降,但仍能显著抑制菌核青霉生长。采用污染食物技术考察了椪柑精油中7种常见抑菌成分对菌核青霉的影响。结果表明,0.04μl/ml柠檬醛和1.07μl/ml β-芳樟醇能显著抑制菌核青霉生长,而其他组分无明显作用。实验结果表明,椪柑精油的抑菌作用可能归功于其所含的柠檬醛和β-芳樟醇。     

气道内微量雾化机对质粒DNA完整性和基因转染效率的影响

目的:探索新型气道内微量雾化机对质粒DNA(pDNA)完整性和整体动物基因转染效率的影响。方法:首先,研究新型气道内微量雾化机对pDNA破坏程度。分别向新型气道内微量雾化机和目前临床普遍使用的机械喷射式雾化机的加药池内加入2ml pDNA(20μg/ml),在开始雾化后第1min、3min、5min分别收集两种雾化机嘴处的雾化液滴,用琼脂糖凝胶电泳观察比较质粒的完整性。其次,研究整新型气道内微量雾化机在整体动物上对基因转染效率的影响。分别用新型气道内微量雾化机和目前临床普遍使用的机械喷射式雾化机,给大鼠雾化经多聚乙烯亚胺(polyethylenimine,PEI)修饰的相同量的绿色荧光蛋白质粒(plasmid DNA of green fluorescent protein gene, pEGFP)3.3μg(PEI/pEGFP),24h后提取动物肺组织进行反转录,用real time PCR及琼脂糖凝胶电泳观察分析绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein, GFP)的mRNA表达情况。结果:新型气道内微量雾化机在雾化第1min、第3min、第5min后完整的质粒比例分别为(99.6±0.7)%、(100±1.2)%、(99.6±0.7)%,与未雾化对照相比(P>0.05,n=3),无统计学差异,新型雾化机对质粒破坏性可以忽略。临床常用的喷射式雾化机在相同时间段内完整的质粒比例分别为(70.3±1.5)%、(49.3±1.5)%、(32.7±0.6)%。与未雾化对照相比(P<0.05,n=3)有统计学差异,并且随雾化时间增加临床常用的喷射式雾化机对质粒的完整性破坏程度逐渐增加;新型气道内微量雾化机的基因转染效率高于临床普遍使用的机械喷射式雾化机转染效率的(382.1±101.1)倍(P<0.01,n=3)。结论:新型气道内微量雾化机对质粒没有破坏性,能显著增加雾化吸入基因转染效率。为雾化基因治疗提供了一种合适的工具。     

Insecticidal activities of garlic substances against adults of grain moth,Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract The angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier), is one of the most serious stored grain pests around the world. In attempts to reduce the losses caused by the moth and to suppress its populations, the fumigant activities, behavioral influence and ovipositional inhibition of garlic (Allium sativum) essential oil and its two major components, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, were investigated against the adult grain moth. Their effects on reduction in survival of first instar larvae to adult emergence were also evaluated. Results showed that these three materials (garlic essential oil, diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide) had significant fumigant activity with 50% lethal concentration values at 1.33, 0.99, and 1.02 μL/L air space, respectively; meanwhile, the three materials possessed high behavioral deterrent activities against adults in the Y‐tube olfactometer. When applied to rice grains, these materials reduced adult longevity and inhibited oviposition, with ovipositional inhibition above 70% at a concentration of 1.5 μL/25 g in either no‐choice or two‐choice tests. In short, the study showed that both diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, like garlic essential oil, acted as fumigants, produced behavioral deterrence and inhibited oviposition against angoumois grain moth. Our work here indicates that diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide may serve as potential alternatives for grain protectants since both of them can be prepared easily from readily available chemicals.     

两种精油熏蒸处理对金针菇贮藏品质的影响

为了开发高效的食用菌绿色保鲜剂,以新鲜的白色金针菇为供试材料,以花椒精油和丁香精油为供试熏蒸剂,分别在常温（25±1）℃和低温（4±1）℃条件下开展了适用于金针菇保鲜的精油种类和浓度的筛选试验,并对金针菇贮藏期内的感官评价、失重率、呼吸强度、褐变度、多酚氧化酶（PPO）活性、苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）活性、丙二醛（MDA）以及总酚含量进行了测定。结果显示,常温（25±1）℃条件下用0.1 mL·kg-1花椒精油和0.5 mL·kg-1丁香精油保鲜效果优于其他处理,且有统计学意义（P<0.05）,0.1 mL·kg-1花椒精油和0.5 mL·kg-1丁香精油处理组感官评分分别高于对照组23.4%和27.8%,二者均能够抑制金针菇褐变、减轻腐败变质,且有统计学意义（P<0.05）;在低温（4±1）℃贮藏试验中发现,0.1 mL·kg-1花椒精油和0.5 mL·kg-1丁香精油均能有效抑制呼吸强度和PPO活性的升高（P<0.05）,其呼吸高峰较对照组分别降低了28.3%和39.6%;贮藏15 d后,精油处理组PPO活性较对照组分别降低了8.2%和16.6%;精油处理有效降低了MDA含量的产生,保持着较高的总酚含量、减轻腐烂褐变的程度。第15天时,对照组MDA含量为1.75 μmol·g-1,而花椒精油和丁香精油处理组MDA含量分别比对照组低0.15、0.40 μmol·g-1,丁香精油处理组显著低于花椒精油处理组和对照组（P<0.05）。研究结果表明,0.1 mL·kg-1花椒精油和0.5 mL·kg-1丁香精油均对金针菇采后贮藏保鲜效果显著,其中,0.5 mL·kg-1丁香精油的保鲜效果最明显,在15d的贮藏期内,金针菇依然保持着良好的品质,而对照组已经轻微褐变,部分开始腐烂。研究结果为花椒精油和丁香精油应用于金针菇采后贮藏保鲜提供了理论依据。     

印度藏茴香植物精油对温室棉蚜的熏蒸毒性及其成分分析（英文）

【目的】棉蚜Aphis gossypii是世界各地室内和室外果树、蔬菜和观赏植物上最具危害性的害虫之一。这一害虫取食植物汁液,产生蜜露,传播植物病毒,对植物从质和量上产生破坏。为了控制温室中的这一害虫,植物精油可用作化学农药的替代药物。本实验研究了印度藏茴香Carum copticum植物精油对棉蚜成虫的熏蒸毒性。【方法】将研磨的印度藏茴香干种子用改良的挥发油提取器(Clevenger-type apparatus)进行水蒸馏。所有生物测定均在27±2℃,相对湿度65%±5%和光周期16L∶8D条件下进行。研究采用完全随机设计,6个处理(5个不同浓度的精油加对照)。每一浓度3次重复,每一重复20头成虫。【结果】结果表明,棉蚜成蚜接触印度藏茴香精油24 h后出现明显的死亡。该精油对棉蚜成蚜的致死中浓度(LC50)为1.21μL/L空气。棉蚜成蚜的死亡百分率对精油的施用表现出较高的敏感性。精油浓度为1.21μL/L空气时,估计的棉蚜的致死中时(LT50)为11.79 h。这一精油的熏蒸毒性与浓度和接触时间之间具有一定的相关性。GC/MS组分分析结果表明,该精油由18种化合物组成,最重要的是一些化合物引起了熏蒸毒性,如麝香草酚(占50.07%)、γ-萜品烯(占23.99%)和对异丙基苯甲烷(占22.90%)。【结论】本研究结果表明印度藏茴香植物精油对棉蚜具有较好的杀虫效果。印度藏茴香精油对棉蚜产生较大的影响,由于它具有较高的熏蒸毒性潜力,因此可在温室中用于这一害虫的综合治理。     

Toxicity of basil and orange essential oils and their components against two coleopteran stored products insect pests

Two commercialized essential oils and their constituent compounds were investigated for fumigant and contact activities against two grain storage insects, adults of the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). The two commercialized basil and orange oils showed strong fumigant and contact activities against S. zeamais and T. castaneum. The constituents of the basil oil were linalool (21.83%), estragole (74.29%), and α-humulene (2.17%), and those of the orange oil were α-pinene (0.54%), sabinene (0.38%), β-myrcene (1.98%), limonene (96.5%), and linalool (0.6%). As a toxic fumigant, the basil oil was more effective (24-h LC₅₀ = 0.014 and 0.020 mg cm^− 3) than the orange oil (24-h LC₅₀ = 0.106 and 0.130 mg cm^− 3) against S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults, respectively. Among the constituents of the two essential oils, the toxicity of estragole was the highest (0.004 and 0.013), followed by linalool (0.016 and 0.023), limonene (0.122 and 0.171), α-pinene (0.264 and 0.273), and β-myrcene (0.274 and 0.275) based on 24-h LC₅₀ values (mg cm^− 3). Similar results were obtained in a contact toxicity test. The contact activity of basil oil was more toxic than orange oil, and estragole and linalool showed pronounced contact toxicity against S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults. Alpha-humulene had no activity as a fumigant at the tested doses, but it did have an effect as a contact poison, having 24-h LD₅₀ values of 0.040 and 0.045 mg adult^− 1 to S. zeamais and T. castaneum, respectively. Although basil oil, orange oil, and their components displayed both contact and fumigant toxicities, their effects were mainly exerted by fumigant action via the vapor phase. Thus, basil oil, orange oil, and their components could be potential candidates as new fumigants for the control of S. zeamais and T. castaneum adults.     

Fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils to Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Orius strigicollis (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

The fumigant toxicity of 92 plant essential oils to adult Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Orius strigicollis Poppius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) was examined by using a vapor phase toxicity bioassay and compared with those of dichlorvos, emamectin benzoate, spinosad, and thiamethoxam, four commonly used insecticides. Responses varied according to oil type and insect species. As judged by 24-h LC50 values, pennyroyal oil (2.63 mg/liter air) was the most toxic fumigant and was 23.6-fold more toxic than dichlorvos (62.09 mg/liter air) against adult T. palmi. Potent fumigant toxicity (LC50, 11.03-19.21 mg/liter air) was observed in armoise, basil, cedarleaf, coriander, cypress, howood, hyssop, marjoram, myrtle, niaouli, rosemary, and sage (Dalmatia) oils. Neither emamectin benzoate, spinosad, nor thiamethoxam exhibited fumigant action. Against adult O. strigicollis, dichlorvos (LC50, 6.3 x 10(-6) mg/liter air) was the most toxic fumigant, whereas the LC50 values of the 13 essential oils ranged from 17.29 to 158.22 mg/liter air. O. strigicollis was 1.4-22.1 times less susceptible than T. palmi to the essential oils. The essential oils described merit further study as potential fumigants for the control of T. palmi in greenhouses.     

Bioactivities of the leaf essential oil of Curcuma longa (var. ch-66) on three species of stored-product beetles (Coleoptera)

Essential oil extracted from the leaves of turmeric, Curcuma longa L., was investigated for contact and fumigant toxicity and its effect on progeny production in three stored-product beetles, Rhyzopertha dominica F. (lesser grain borer), Sitophilus oryzae L. (rice weevil), and Tribolium castaneum Herbst (red flour beetle). Oviposition-deterrent and ovicidal actions of C. longa leaf oil were also evaluated against T. castaneum. The oil was insecticidal in both contact and fumigant toxicity assays. The adults of R. dominica were highly susceptible to contact action of C. longa leaf oil, with LD50 value of 36.71 microg/mg weight of insect, whereas in the fumigant assay, adults of S. oryzae were highly susceptible with LC50 value of 11.36 mg/liter air. Further, in T. castaneum, the C. longa oil reduced oviposition and egg hatching by 72 and 80%, respectively at the concentration of 5.2 mg/cm2. At the concentration of 40.5 mg/g food, the oil totally suppressed progeny production of all the three test insects. Nutritional indices indicate >81% antifeedant action of the oil against R. dominica, S. oryzae and T castaneum at the highest concentration tested.     

Insecticidal activity of essential oils from eleven Eucalyptus spp. and two hybrids: lethal and sublethal effects of their major components on Blattella germanica

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the fumigant activity of the essential oils from 11 species of the genus Eucalyptus and two of their hybrids on first instar of Blattella germanica L. The fumigant activity and repellence of the four major monoterpene components of these essential oils also were tested. Fumigant activity was evaluated by exposing nymphs to the vapors emitted by 50 microl of essential oil or monoterpene in a closed container. The lowest knockdown time 50% (KT50) values, expressed in minutes, were elicited by the essential oils of the Eucalyptus grandis X Eucalyptus tereticornis (57.9) hybrid, Eucalyptus sideroxylon A. Cunn (62.0), E. grandis X Eucalyptus camaldulensis (63.8) hybrid, Eucalyptus viminalis Labill (64.1), Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden (64.5), and Eucalyptus grandis (Hill) ex Maiden (68.7). The KT50 values for the remaining essential oils ranged between 74.5 (E. saligna Smith) and 161.4 min (E. tereticornis Smith). The essential oil from the hybrid E. grandis X E. tereticornis was 3.7 times less toxic than dichlorvos (positive control). The KT50 values of monoterpenes were 38.8 for alpha-pinene, 55.3 for 1,8-cineole, 175.6 for p-cymene, and 178.3 for gamma-terpinene. Alpha-pinene was 2.5 times less toxic than dichlorvos. There was a strong positive correlation between the fumigant activity of essential oils and their corresponding 1,8-cineole and alpha-pinene concentration. Repellency was quantified using a video tracking system. Two concentrations of monoterpenes were studied (7 and 70 microg/cm2). All compounds produced a light repellent effect but only when applied at 70 microg/cm2. In all cases, the repellent effect was less than that produced by the broad-spectrum insect repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (positive control).     

Insecticidal effects of Artemisia dracunculus L. (Asteraceae) essential oil on adult of Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) under laboratory conditions

Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) is one of the most important pests of agriculture worldwide. To control the pest population, research on the use of the environmental and plant-based compounds has increased in recent decades. So, in this study, effect of fumigant toxicity of Artemisia dracunculus L. essential oil on adults of the mentioned pest was studied. The essential oil of this plant was subjected to hydro-distillation using a Clevenger apparatus. All bioassay examinations were conducted at 27?±?2 and 65?±?5?°C relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16:8?h (light:dark). This research was performed in a completely random design with six treatments in different concentrations and times to evaluate the level of LC₅₀ and LT₅₀. Each treatment was evaluated in three replicates for different concentrations and times with each replicate consisting of 20 same-age adult pests. The results showed that the use of the essential oil of A. dracunculus L. shows significant mortality of pest 24?h after treatment. LC₅₀ value of this essential oil on adults of A. gossypii was 18.63?μL/L of air and LT₅₀ value of the essential oil on the mentioned pest resulted to be 10.74?h with a concentration of 18.63?μL/L of air. The results showed that by increasing the concentration and duration of essence treatment, the mortality rate also increased. Experiment results showed that A. dracunculus L. oil has strong effect on the above-mentioned pest and it will be suggested for using in the mentioned integrated pest management programmes in greenhouses for its high potential in fumigant toxicity.     

Relationship between ultra‐weak bioluminescence and vigour or irradiation dose of irradiated wheat

Ultra‐weak luminescent analysis is a new way to detect the irradiation dose and the vigour of irradiated wheat. Wheat grain and wheat flour were used in this research for ultra‐weak luminescent analysis. The experimental data showed that the bioluminescence intensity of wheat grain sample was different with increasing storage time and increasing dose, and a similar trend appeared in the germination rates of irradiated wheat grain. It was found that the differences in bioluminescence intensities and germination rates of irradiated wheat grain at different doses and storage times were due to the effect of irraditation on the wheat embryo and self‐repair during storage. As a result, ultra‐weak luminescent analysis cannot be used to detect the irradiation dose of irradiated wheat, but it can be used to determine vigour. Experiments showed that the irradiation dose had a highly significant effect on the bioluminescence intensities of wheat flour when cane sugar was added. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fumigant toxicity of the essential oils of some African plants against Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto

The essential oils from 15 species of African plants selected by ethnobotanical considerations and field inspection (odour and presence of insects) were screened for fumigant toxicity to Anopheles gambiae s.s. in the laboratory. Essential oils from 6 species showed varying levels of toxicity, with Conyza newii (Compositae) and Plectranthus marruboides (Labiateae) being the most potent. Fifty compounds representing approximately 74% of the essential oil of C. newii were identified by GC-MS and GC-coinjection (for available standards). The major and some of the minor constituents of the two oils were assayed at different doses. Two compounds, from C. newii, perillaldehyde and perillyl alcohol, exhibited higher fumigant toxicity (LD50 = 1.05 x 10(-4) and 2.52 x 10(-4) mg cm(-3), respectively) than the parent oil (2.0 x 10(-3) mg cm(-3)). GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of P. marruboides gave results similar to that previously reported. Interestingly, none of its components were active, suggesting that the insecticidal activity of the oil results from either some of the minor components or as a blend effect of some of the major constituents.